Cardiff City in the English Championship have announced the signing of two African players, former Morocco and Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh and Ivory Coast central defender, Soulaymane ‘Sol’ Bamba.

Both players joined Cardiff on free transfers after being released by Crystal Palace and Leeds United respectively.

32-year-old Chamakh, joins a second tier side in England for the first time after playing for Arsenal and Crystal Palace in the Premier League. He first joined Arsenal from French side Bordeaux.

‘‘Cardiff are a side that should be on top and I think we can improve going forward,” Chamakh told the club website.

I’m looking forward to meeting with my new team-mates and getting started. I can’t wait to score for my new team,” he added.

Chamakh links up with his former manager at Crystal Palace, Neil Warnock. Warnock said of his reunion with the player, “We’ve signed Marouane on a short-term deal until January to assess his fitness. He’s a versatile player with pedigree and somebody who impressed me during my time at Crystal Palace.”

Bamba, 31, who began his career with French giants, Paris Saint Germain, agreed a deal that will see him remain with Cardiff City till the summer of 2018.

Bamba’s entry into English Football began in January 2011, when he joined Leicester City. He remained at the King Power Stadium until June 2012, despite links to a number of high profile teams in the previous season, finally departing to link up with Turkish side Trabzonspor.

He moved from Turkey to Palermo in Italy before joining Leeds United where he was appointed captain of the side.